<div><strong>Team Statement:</strong>
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<div>Hi everyone! Coming to Theater for the New City’s 2024 Dream Up festival is “IF WORDS COULD TALK”, a short experimental play that explores the circularity of grief between an immigrant mother and her daughter in the form of poetry through reimagination and past memories. Our performance dates are August 30th and 31st, and September 1st, 7th, and 8th!
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<div>As a professional collaboration consisting of young NYU and NYC-based artists, we are creating this fundraiser in hopes that you will consider assisting us in funding this production. Any donation, large or small, is appreciated with immense gratitude, as every dollar goes to an element of our production.
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<div>Thank you for your time and interest in supporting young artists!
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<div>IF WORDS COULD TALK Creative Team :)
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<div><strong>Plot:</strong>
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<div>Structured fully in poetry and set in a stream-of-consciousness inside of Mama’s home, IF WORDS COULD TALK explores the dysfunctional relationship between an immigrant mother and her deceased teenage daughter paying a visit to her with distance through memories.
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<div>The play follows a sequence of stages: i. Awakening, ii. Denial, iii. Rage, iv. Bargaining, and v. Acceptance. Mama embarks on cycles of grief, colliding with the reimagination of her daughter’s lived past. As Ali grieves for her long-deceased father, Mama grieves for her daughter in a return to the dead and (un)buried. The lack of and the surplus of words is what brings them together but also draws them apart.
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<div>IF WORDS COULD TALK explores themes of communicative collision, a dreamed life of cohesion, raising the myth of beginning, middle &amp; end in the face of old wounds. Here lies the proof: the circularity of a mother’s love transcending names, faces, and places. If only words could speak for themselves– only then, perhaps grief would bend fiction to break the truth.
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<div>IF WORDS COULD TALK was previously shown at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and selected for the Final First-Year Students Showcase at Playwrights Horizons Theater School in the Black Box Theater on April 30th, 2024.
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<div><strong>Fundraising Goals for "IF WORDS COULD TALK"</strong>
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<div>We are thrilled to bring "IF WORDS COULD TALK" to a broader audience and invite you to participate in this transformative journey. Your support will help us realize our vision and create a powerful platform for emerging artists.
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<div>Here’s how your contributions will be used to achieve our fundraising goals:
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<li>Performance Fees: Your donations will go towards compensating our talented actors and production team. Acknowledging and rewarding their hard work and dedication is essential, and it brings the story to life.
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<li>Rehearsal Spaces: Securing rehearsal spaces is crucial for our team to refine their performances and perfect every scene. The typical rehersal space requires $25 per hour session, and consistent space is vital for a polished and seamless production.
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<li>Costume, Hair, and Makeup: Costuming and makeup play an integral role in immersing the audience in the world of "IF WORDS COULD TALK." Your contribution will help us create authentic and compelling visuals that resonate with the play's themes.
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<li>Design Expenses: From set design to lighting, the visual elements of our production are paramount. Funds allocated here will ensure that every detail, from the set to the props, enhances the narrative and creates a captivating experience.
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<li>Food and Drink: Keeping our team nourished during the process is essential for maintaining high energy and focus.
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<div><strong>Why Donate to "IF WORDS COULD TALK"?</strong>
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<div>"IF WORDS COULD TALK" is more than just a play; it's a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the complex dynamics between a mother and her daughter. Set within the poetic confines of a grieving mother’s home, this play delves into the unspoken and often overlooked aspects of immigrant life and intergenerational trauma.
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<div>Here’s why your support matters:
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<li>Empowering Emerging Artists: Your donations will support young, talented artists, giving them a platform to showcase their work and develop their skills. This is an investment in the future of theater and the arts, nurturing the next generation of creators.
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<li>Bringing Important Stories to Life: This play tackles universal themes of grief and reconciliation, resonating deeply with anyone who has experienced loss. By supporting this production, you are helping to amplify stories that need to be told, fostering empathy and understanding within our community.
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<li>Promoting Cultural Diversity and Inclusion: "IF WORDS COULD TALK" highlights the immigrant experience and the unique challenges faced by those navigating life between different cultures. Your contribution helps bring diverse voices to the stage, enriching the cultural fabric of our society.
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<li>Creating a Community of Support: Your donation not only funds the play but also creates a supportive community for artists and audiences alike. It’s an opportunity to come together and share in the power of storytelling, bridging gaps and building connections.
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<li>The Impact of Your Contribution: Every dollar you contribute directly impacts the quality and reach of our production. Your contribution, no matter the size, is instrumental in bringing "IF WORDS COULD TALK" to life. Together, we can create a memorable theatrical experience that touches hearts, inspires minds, and empowers young artists to continue telling stories that matter. Thank you for your generosity and support.
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<div><strong>OUR INCENTIVE SYSTEM </strong>
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<div>Our tiered incentive system is designed to enrich the donation experience for every supporter of "IF WORDS COULD TALK." Each tier offers unique rewards that deepen your connection to the play and highlight your vital role in bringing this powerful story to life.
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<div>Here’s how our incentives elevate your donation experience:
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<li>$25 - Shout-Out Supporter: Public acknowledgment on our social media platforms. Show your support for emerging artists and get a shout-out on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts, where you’ll be thanked and recognized as a valued supporter of the arts.
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<li>$45 - Exclusive Insider: Access to a virtual behind-the-scenes pictures/short videos. Enjoy a sneak peek into the creative process with exclusive access to a rehearsal session, where you can see the actors and director at work.
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<li>$100 - Artistic Angel: Signed poster and a special thank you video from the cast. Receive a beautifully designed, limited-edition poster signed by the entire cast and a personalized thank you video expressing our heartfelt gratitude for your generous support.
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<li>$150 - Script Excerpt: A digital excerpt from the play’s script. Get a sneak peek of the play’s script with a digital excerpt, offering insight into the poetic narrative and character dialogues.
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<li>$175 - Backstage Tour: A pre-recorded backstage tour of the set before the actors take the stage. Experience the excitement of behind-the-scenes action with a pre-recorded virtual tour of the backstage area, guided by our production team.
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<li>$250 - Digital Enthusiast: Access to a digital download of the play’s script. Receive a digital copy of the script of "IF WORDS COULD TALK," giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the words that drive the story.
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<li>$450 - Virtual Meet and Greet: Virtual meet and greet with the cast and crew. Enjoy a private virtual session with the cast and crew, where you can ask questions, learn about their experiences, and share your thoughts on the play.
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<li>$550- Virtual Q&amp;A with Director: Invitation to a virtual Q&amp;A session with the director. Participate in a live Q&amp;A session with the director, where you can ask questions and learn more about the creative process behind the play.
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<li>$600- Producer’s Circle: Recognition as a producer and a personalized thank-you video. Become an integral part of the production team with recognition as an associate producer in the playbill, and receive a personalized thank-you plaque to commemorate your vital role in bringing this play to life.
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<div>Your support for "IF WORDS COULD TALK" at any level helps bring this unique and powerful story to the stage, enriching both the theater community and the broader cultural landscape. Thank you for contributing to the arts and making a difference in the lives of emerging artists.
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<div><strong>Updates</strong>
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<div>For more updates as our production proceeds, follow our Instagram @ifwordscouldtalkplay and stay tuned on our gofundme!
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<div><strong>About Us:</strong>
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<div><strong>WRITER:</strong> Jenn Amelia Martin (she/her) is a 19-year-old Chinese-Italian-American artist based in New York. As a rising sophomore at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, she studies Drama (BFA) at Playwrights Horizons Studio (PHTS). With a focus on writing and performance, her work explores themes of navigating mixed culture, communication lost and found, the dual empowerment and disempowerment of words, and the concept of “home.” As a nationally published poet, she is known for blending her artistic disciplines to cultivate theater that embraces multiplicity rather than one-dimensional expression.
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<div><strong>DIRECTOR: </strong> Stephanie Stowers (she/her) is a Haitian-American, New York City-based director and actress. Stowers strives in her artistic career to provide a platform for diverse art to be appreciated and more accessible. She has acted in many short films and directed productions at Playwrights Horizons Theater School, including If Words Could Talk. Stowers is pursuing a BFA in Drama with a double minor in Producing and Business in Entertainment, Media, and Technology at New York University. Stowers is delighted to be making her directorial debut with If Words Could Talk, which will be presented at Theater For the New City’s Dream Up Festival!
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<div><strong>CO-PRODUCER:</strong> Diana Ortez (she/her) is a 20-year-old Salvadoran-American artist based in New York and New Jersey. She is a rising junior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts majoring in Cinema Studies with a double minor in Producing and Business in Entertainment, Media, and Technology. Ortez is dedicated to fostering diversity in the arts, passionately advocating for narratives from a wide range of backgrounds, especially those that are underrepresented. Her Latina heritage informs her work, driving her commitment to inclusivity and authentic storytelling. She believes that art is a powerful vehicle for change, and her writing, involvement on set, and producing, reflects a deep-seated commitment to elevating unique perspectives and celebrating cultural identity.
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James Kim

Nikki Calonge

Taylor Jones

Anonymous

Ella Piscatello

Vincent Hernandez

klarissa grund

Madison Duboue

Kimberly Stowers

Adam Tillmon

Ronald Marsh

Sean Johnson

DANIEL BROWN

Todd Stowers

rhoshena allen

If Words Could Talk Play at TNC’s 2024 Dream Up

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